Whenever you think of Tarifa, surely the first image that comes to mind is that of those surfers who can spend hours and hours on their boards. And it is no wonder, because the wind that comes from the Levante makes the waves that are formed are a real show.

Not to mention the wonderful landscapes that surround its natural environment, among which are the famous dunes of Bolonia and white sand beaches worthy of a postcard photo.

Certainly, this is one of our favorite places in the whole peninsula, and although we will not deny that the best plan is to quietly enjoy the beach and its beach bars, there is something you can’t miss for anything in the world if you come here: a horse-riding route! It seems to us a great idea to get to know all the nature of Tarifa on the back of these animals and make an excursion that allows you to explore all those secret corners that you would have never imagined to reach.

So, if you have already decided and want to live this experience with us, keep reading, because we are going to leave you a little guide to make your plan perfect.

Where to go horse riding in Tarifa?

Tarifa is a place that stands out for having beaches, dunes and natural parks in the same space, so a horse riding excursion here is something simply magical. It all depends on what you want to experience at the time and the places you are willing to know, but we anticipate that you can choose between three different types of routes.

• Duna de Valdevaqueros: if you want to take a walk among golden sand and feel the energy that the paths between oasis give off, you don't have to do anything more than approach the Duna de Valdevaqueros. This has a length of more than 2 miles, so you can spend several hours touring its slopes until you reach Punta Paloma. To give you an idea, on your horse you will contemplate the best views of the entire coast of Cadiz and, believe us, you will not want your ride to end...

• Punta Paloma: usually, the horse rides in Valdevaqueros take you, as we have said, to places like Punta Paloma. And what are we going to tell you about this place! Well, it is one of the most spectacular beaches you will find, as it is located in the middle of virgin nature there is no room for crowds of people. This way, you will have the chance to gallop on the back of the animal along the beach and enjoy a natural environment practically only for you. And you know what is the best of all? If you do the excursion in the afternoon, you can always say goodbye to the sun from this wonderful place and watch a real movie sunset. Even if you are one of the most daring, you can walk along the shore and get into the water riding bareback, without a saddle and without any kind of riding gear.

• Los Alcornocales Natural Park: for the more classic, there are traditional walks along trails and different dirt roads that will take you to explore the grandeur of one of the natural parks found in the Campo de Gibraltar. In Los Alcornocales, you will find routes with different levels, so both children and adults can get on one of the horses and immerse themselves in this exciting adventure. To give you an idea, this place is known as "the last European jungle", so you will enter an immense forest that will make you feel like in another continent. And speaking of continents! From the top of the valleys of this park, you will have the most spectacular views of that little piece of Africa that can be seen in the distance on the horizon.

What do you need for horse riding in Tarifa?

You know that for us fun is the most important thing, but when we talk about safety, this takes the fundamental role. That's why, as in many other sports and activities, horse riding requires special equipment that allows you to gallop and trot without limits and without worries.

What you will need to bring to live this experience is comfortable clothes, essential! And if possible, long pants to avoid any kind of rubbing with the saddle. If you have boots that cover your ankle, it would be best to bring them, although any type of sneakers or shoes that fit will do. And in case you want to come fully prepared, you can bring gloves to prevent the reins from hurting you.

The rest will be taken care of by the schools and riding schools, since the instructors will be the ones to provide you with all the technical and safety material such as helmets and saddles.

What is the minimum age to ride a horse in Tarifa?

We have no doubt that the best thing about these excursions is to be able to spend time with your family. As you have seen, in Tarifa there is room for everyone, even for the youngest of the house. We recommend that, if you come with children, they should be at least 12 years old, as this is an age when they control their reflexes perfectly and the height allows them to climb on larger animals without any problem.

However, not all routes are adapted for them, since, for example, the walk through the dunes of Valdevaqueros is a somewhat more complex route due to the slopes. In addition, it can be somewhat annoying for the little ones if at some point the wind picks up and sand gets in their eyes.

Therefore, we recommend that children or those who have no experience in horseriding, take the ride through the Natural Park of Los Alcornocales, as it is done in a quiet way and you will hardly find obstacles along the way.

This is all you need to know before you start horse riding in Tarifa, so don't wait any longer, choose your favorite route and come and enjoy, it will be a great plan!